This film is part of Free
Dr. Sam Hutt
Rock'n'roll doctor Sam Hutt opens up on a twin career as popstar and healer in an intriguing, never-broadcast TV interview.
Overview
A dapper Dr Hutt expounds on his frustrations with medical practice, the NHS 'brain drain' (doctors quitting for better paid positions overseas), the spiralling costs of healthcare (partly due to advances such as the then-new heart transplants). He's honest on the lure of showbiz: "in a day doing television commercials... I could earn more than in a month as a doctor"), but stresses his commitment to the NHS ("medicine should be free").
Through his work in a drug-addiction centre, Dr Hutt counted members of the Who, the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead among his clients. The interview followed the release of his first single, 'Jabberwock', a Lewis Carroll-inspired slice of psychedelic pop credited to Boeing Duveen & The Beautiful Soup, which failed to trouble the charts. But a few years later, following an encounter with country rock legend Gram Parsons, Dr Hutt relaunched himself as Hank Wangford and embarked on a decades-long mission to bring country music to the sceptics.
Related
Your Very Good Health Your Very Good Health
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 9 mins
Long before the ‘Charley Says’ campaign of the 1970s and ‘80s, another cartoon Charley was used to demystify the newly created NHS.
Life in Her Hands Life in Her Hands
Instructional film/TV programme 1951 55 mins
Kathleen Byron - of Black Narcissus fame - stars in one of the most ambitious recruitment films ever made.
The Strange Case of Penny Allison The Strange Case of Penny Allison
Government sponsored film 2002 18 mins
Imelda Staunton and Hugh Laurie as you've not quite seen them before: in a comedy training video for Britain’s National Blood Service.
Natural Born Smoker Natural Born Smoker
Public Information Filler 1985 1 mins
A sense of 1980s stylistic sheen filters through this sci-fi-tinged anti-smoking advert.
The NHS75 Glastonbury Festival Celebration The NHS75 Glastonbury Festival Celebration
Short documentary 2023 4 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS at Glastonbury Festival.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.